PENANG: The Penang government has allowed two local companies to build monorail test tracks in Seberang Perai Selatan, deputy chief Minister II P Ramasamy said.He said the companies would build one kilometre test tracks for monorail coaches which would be used as exhibit items.“Our aim is to showcase the monorail technology. The state government is not bound by any agreement involving project cost,” he told a press conference at his office here yesterday.

The companies which had wide experience in monorail projects would be allowed to use state land in Batu Kawan or Nibong Tebal and would bear all construction cost.

Ramasamy said the state government would not sell them the land or charge them fees for using it and hoped that the monorail would become a tourist attraction.

“We will see whether the monorail can be a suitable mode of transport for Penang in future. This is not a monorail project.

The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had issued an initial letter on the project which would make economic returns in the form of job opportunities and hardware manufacturing.

“We hope that the monorail tracks and coaches will be ready in one year.

The two companies will be asked to dismantle the tracks and vacate the land if we feel that it is unsuitable,” he added. — Bernama